Fly-in for new flight line
Chuck Fuller with his Grumman Traveler
DESERT AIRE - Pilots - if you'd like to enjoy one of the smoothest landings you'll ever make and take in a scrumptious breakfast too, then the Desert Aire Airport Fly-in Breakfast on Saturday, June 20, may be just right for you.
The big news for the annual Fly-in Breakfast is the main runway. It is all new, with the asphalt paving completed just last week. It is still the same length, but it has been widened from 36 feet to 60 feet.
The new flight line can handle bigger loads and bigger planes. It has five inches of rock base and 2.5 inches of asphalt. The first users are sure to enjoy the landing.
The new runway is nearly the last piece of work in a $1 million modernization project. There are only minor details left to be completed, most likely by volunteers.
The Fly-in Breakfast is an annual event. Volunteers cook up a good old country breakfast to raise funds for support of the DAA. It is also a chance for Desert Aire folks to show off their home town.
"I like to invite the visitors to see the amenities we have here," publicist Suzie Gruber said. "For the breakfast, fly, drive, golf cart or walk to the hangar next to the Sagebrush Senior Center at 121 Desert Aire Place, or just follow the many signs."
After breakfast, Gruber suggests, take a hike along the 3 1/2 mile paved walkway along the river. You may see an Eagle or two as well as Pelicans and many other varieties of birds.
If you're still around at lunch time, Tumbleweeds Restaurant has great Fish and Chips. R Place will be ready to serve you lunch and, in Mattawa, Tiddaly Diddaly's has mouth-watering pizza and ice cream.
"We are inviting Fly-in pilots who play golf to call our pro, who will golf cart the pilots and their guests out to the beautifully manicured 18-hole golf course overlooking the beautiful Columbia River," Suzie said.
The focus of the Fly-in, however, is planes and the new runway. Dignitaries from around the county will join the ceremonies. The breakfast will start at 7 a.m. and go until about 11 a.m.
"We will be featuring the same, great mouth-watering sausages, pancakes and eggs, with fresh hot coffee and ice-cold orange juice," Suzie said. "In addition, we are providing larger, stronger, three-section plates and heavy duty forks and knives this year so you can have your fill."
"Bring your kids and grandkids," Suzie added. "This breakfast is for everyone in Desert Aire and the surrounding communities."
"A $5 donation (kids under 5 free) is suggested for breakfast to help with DAA volunteers maintain the lighting, windsocks and repairs around the airport.
The Fly-in will feature 30-40 planes that fly in from all over the Northwest. Many will be displayed so that families can walk up close to the planes and ask the Pilots questions or take a picture or two.
"You never know; with the new runway, we may get some larger planes this year," Suzie said. "They could do fly-bys before but couldn't land."
The Huge MedStar Pilatus PC-12 will participate, as well as helicopters from local military units. Area fire departments will be displaying their state-of-the-art fire engines.